Sister Mary Bryan Gabel

Professed August 11, 1959

Born Margaret Anne on June 2, 1938, in Fremont, OH, she lived a rich and dedicated life of 87 years. Embracing her spiritual calling, she professed her vows with the Sisters of Notre Dame on August 11, 1959, embarking on a lifelong journey of faith and service.

Her ministry in education spanned more than half a century, during which she served as both a teacher and principal in schools across Ohio and Florida. In Ohio, her influence reached students at St. Mary’s, Christ the King, Sacred Heart and St. Ann’s in Toledo, as well as in Maumee, Marygrove, Leipsic and Bellevue. Her leadership extended to Jacksonville, FL, where she served as principal at Holy Rosary School. From 1992 to 2009, she continued her devoted work as a small group teacher at Mary Immaculate School on the Sisters of Notre Dame campus.

Beyond the classroom, she contributed to the vitality of her congregation by overseeing the car fleet and providing essential transportation for the Sisters. In 2012, she returned to her hometown to care for her mother, before returning to her ministry as a tutor at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Leipsic and as a teacher’s aide in Sandusky and Port Clinton.

Sisters and friends cherished her natural ability to connect with others especially through music as she played the piano, ukulele and accordion, often by ear and loved inviting those around her to join in. She also greatly enjoyed holidays and volunteering with plays and musicals.